Flourishing programs in 80+ disciplines. A vibrant Christian mission. $50 million
in new campus construction. A 2014 Division III national championship. 95% placement
within 6 months of graduation. There’s never been a better time to consider Hope College.

As a member of the MIAA and NCAA Division III associations, Hope College sponsors
22 varsity sports for men and women. The college is home to the 2014 NCAA Division
III National Championship women’s volleyball team.

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Nancy Cook

Nancy Cook is a professor of education and director of student teaching. She began
teaching at Hope in 1986 as a part-time professor and later as a half-time professor
while teaching at Hamilton Community Schools. After 16 years at Hope, she accepted
a full-time position.

She is the faculty co-sponsor of the student chapter of the Council for Exceptional
Children and co-director of the Hope Comes to Watts May Term.

Areas of expertise

Nancy has been working in the field of special education since 1973. She holds a Michigan
elementary teaching certification with endorsements in cognitive impairments, learning
disabilities and fine arts. She currently has more than 40 years of experience teaching
in the field. In addition to being knowledgeable about student teaching, her other
areas of specialization include teaching students with learning disabilities, cognitive
impairments and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

“ADHD – What It Is & What To Do," Christian Educators Conference, South Bend, In.

Selected publications

“Rhyme or Reason? Selection of Reading Programs in the Special Education Setting,”
(forthcoming)

“Structuring the Student Teaching Seminar” (forthcoming)

“Kurt's Story” (forthcoming)

“Assessment,” in Finding Our Way, An Anthology, 2004

“Be a Super Supervising Teacher,” Instructor, August 1988

“On Our Own,” Christian Science Monitor, October 1986

“Lessons From Thomas,” Christian Science Monitor, June 1986

Outside the college

Nancy actively serves on many committees at her church, Christ Memorial. She has been
involved in several ministry efforts with schools and teachers in Turkey that serve
students with disabilities. She is the board secretary for the Kardelen Mercy Ministries
in Ankara.

Nancy serves on the Special Education Ministry Board in Holland and is currently serving
as board president.

She is married to Brian, a local builder, and is the mother of Megan Wood ’02 Reilly.
Megan is married to Sean Reilly, who works in Hope's Physical Plant. They have blessed
Nancy with two adorable grandchildren, Emma and Kaiden, both of whom are already planning
to attend Hope. Nancy and Brian are raising their third grandchild, Carter, who is
also partial to the orange and blue.

She loves to do word and number puzzles, read and spend precious time at her cottage
on Twin Lake in Twin Lake, Michigan.